Sorry! Forgot I posted this thread.
What size space have you tried and for long? Do you think you just give up too soon?
Well the last time I did a lock in was about 3 weeks ago. I kept them in their area and penned of one side. So they had 2x3 metres, 3 litter boxes and I kept them there for just over 1 week. I allowed time outside everyday and by the last 2 days I allowed them in the living room in the evening. It's funny, after I do these lock ins they hang around their area more once it's over, like they're unsure to venture into the rest of the house.
I probably do give up too soon. I noticed things got worse mostly in the evenings with the peeing. Rumball is now marking up various places also (poop). I have tried a 1x3metre area but it was a mess and they got cabin fever so I stopped that pretty quick. I don't want them to start fighting on top of this!
This afternoon Jersey peed on the floor 5 times in the space of an hour. I'd come in with groceries and they followed me around. Jersey will hang around expecting me to give her something. I try not to encourage that. She was quickly impatient and did a small puddle. I scold as she does it, then mop it up and either go on with what I'm doing or leave the room. I probably shouldn't even scold - it's just that sometimes I can caution her and prompt her to the box. Anyway, she peed 3 more times in the kitchen. I shut them in rabbit area and she peed out there too. I've seen two other spots on towels near litterbox too. This is her also.
They have been living in the lounge the past week as I was tiling their area. They did protest not being able to go there a bit (this was to be expected). So today they were allowed back there. Nothing much has changed.
A little while ago I took them to my parents place for 3 days. They had the laundry for their stuff and adjoining corridor during the day with a big cardboard box. They lived in that thing! I noticed Jersey would leave small pee spots at entry of the box, at entry of corridor each end. To me that shouts marking. She also did her usual on the tile where the litterbox, food and water was. The other place she went was the kitchen when I was at the sink which is a pattern for her. Before food and after the greens are eaten is her pattern.
So that's the latest. Yep, I'm still at it. I give more verbal praise or head pets when she uses her box rather than food treats.
Were you ever able to observe Jersey when Rumball isn't right there? Has she been in a pen by herself and still littered all over?
Yes, she will litter in kitchen and rabbit area even if he's off somewhere else. Lounge, hallway & bedroom are not trouble spots. I haven't had her in a litter training session on her own though.
peepi&warri, it's interesting you mentioned the cardboard box as that's what I first used when I bought Jersey home. Part of my frustration is I had it good for so long. She trained straight away and I only had a behavioural peeing issue with her in the kitchen for a time. Rumball's habits were great too. Occasional strays. Now they're both going downhill. :/
In the past when I changed litterbox styles or litter, Jersey adjusted well as has Rumball. She began marking the area when I bought Rumball into her life. To be expected. I thought it would stop after they bonded but it just worsened. They have no problems with each other though. Spend time together amicably and no fights over food, box, hidey spots etc. I've tried increasing number of boxes, type of litter (no grid, soft paper litter, newspaper+hay) big boxes, smaller boxes. All to no avail. She'll use it when she feels like it. When they've been mostly in my Lounge they share a box no problems. The trouble areas are the kitchen and rabbit area which is just off the kitchen. I've even thought of doing a latrine style thing, just plastic in a corner with newspaper and hay. Maybe a cookie sheet would be better... But to be honest, I don't think it's the litterboxes.